Category Archives: Environment

Qld Gov’t $3k EV subsidy looks like poor value for money for taxpayers

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Gene Tunny

As far as I can tell, the Queensland Government hasn’t released any economic analysis of its $3,000 electric vehicle (EV) subsidy, probably because, if it did, the analysis would reveal the subsidy was a poor use of public funds. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thriving, a new book by Wayne Visser, Cambridge pracademic and sustainability expert – my latest podcast episode

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Gene Tunny

Wayne Visser, of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Antwerp Management School, has written a thoughtful and informative new book Thriving: The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society, and the Economy. Wayne is reassuringly optimistic about the future of … Continue reading →

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Decarbonising the Economy – my latest podcast episode

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The latest episode of my Economics Explored podcast is on the topic of decarbonising the economy. My monologue is based on a talk I gave last Tuesday to the First Tuesday Club forum hosted by the Brisbane Dialogues group at … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Environment, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Circular economy chat with Craig Lawrence – my latest podcast episode

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Gene Tunny

I recorded a great interview with my colleague Craig Lawrence of Lytton Advisory earlier this week on the concept of a Circular Economy, which is creeping into economic and environmental policy discussions and into government publications. For instance, the Circular … Continue reading →

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EV taxes, property taxes, and the need to reset federal financial relations in Australia

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Gene Tunny

It’s good news that, according to the Brisbane Times, Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey has ruled out a special Electric Vehicle tax (at least for now). You may recall I reported on the Australia Institute’s campaign to stop state-levied EV … Continue reading →

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Valuing the Environment podcast chat with Boyd Blackwell

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Gene Tunny

In 2017, Deloitte Access Economics estimated the value of the Great Barrier Reef at $56 billion. You may ask, how could you even attempt to place a dollar value on the Reef? What techniques are used? Aren’t some of our … Continue reading →

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Qld single-use plastics ban plan revives memory of UQ Union’s real crockery & cutlery experiment in mid-nineties

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Economists are always alert to the potential for adverse unintended consequences of well-meaning policies, so the Queensland Government grabbed my attention recently when it announced it is considering a single-use plastics ban. ABC News has reported: Single-use plastics could be … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Frustrated Qld industry peak bodies (e.g. AgForce, QRC) want greater consultation post-election

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Last Sunday, five prominent Queensland industry peak bodies—AgForce, the Property Council, QRC, QTIC and Timber Queensland—issued a joint election platform Driving Queensland’s Economic Growth. It was extraordinary that such a diverse collection of peak bodies were motivated enough and could … Continue reading →

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Should Queensland ban plastic shopping bags?

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Last week, the Queensland Government Environment Department issued a discussion paper to consult with the community on its proposed ban of lightweight plastic bags (i.e. the type you get at Coles and Woolworths). However, the scope for public consultation is … Continue reading →

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Container deposit scheme very likely a costly bad idea

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Regrettably, there is now a bipartisan commitment in Queensland to what is very likely a costly bad policy, with the Opposition announcing its support for a container deposit scheme, otherwise known as a “cash for cans” scheme (see the Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments